Field Description

The Department of History has three paramount aims for its undergraduates, whether they are majors, minors, or students in the required core courses.

First, we foster an appreciation for studying the past for its own sake, in all its variety, ambiguity, and strangeness. To this end, each course emphasizes the exploration and interpretation of primary sources, the raw materials with which historians construct the narrative of the past.

Second, the faculty aims to help students understand that the past has shaped the present. We ask them to participate in the never-ending dialogue between the past and the present by encouraging them to explore difficult questions: What happened? Why did it happen? What were the consequences? What were the dominant values and the dissident voices? How did different cultures and societies interact? How did contemporaries and later generations differ in interpreting events? What are the context and meaning of the changes that have occurred in business, medicine, economics, politics, religion, culture, urban affairs, and gender and race relations? After exposure to these questions, students enter the world personally enriched and better equipped for whatever profession they choose.

Third, the department understands its role in educating students for effective membership and leadership in a global political, social, and economic community by providing an historical understanding of the major world cultures. In courses that range from ancient to modern times, from Asia to New York City, and from the history of women to African-American history, we try to contextualize the world for students.

The Major - fall 2015 (See below for changes to the Major that will take place in spring 2016.)

History majors are required to take at least eight history courses (24 credits) numbered 3000 and above. They must take one course in at least three different areas of the globe; these areas include American, Latin American, European, African, and Asian history. Majors are encouraged, but not required, to take the Capstone Course (History 4900). Majors must also write a substantial research paper (minimum of twenty pages) under the supervision of a professor in one of their courses. Students may take six credits toward their majors in other departments, if the courses are related to their program of study; prior consultation with a history department advisor is required.

The Minor - fall 2015 (See below for changes to the Minor that will take place in spring 2016.)

The minor in history (completing three courses at the 3000-level or above) is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the discipline for students who are majoring in other academic areas. Students can choose courses from different regions, such as the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and West, South, and East Asia. These courses may focus on urban, intellectual, economic, or political issues. History combines perfectly with studies in international business, economics, business ethics, or finance, as well as many other fields.

To complete the history minor, students take three upper-level courses (9 credits). Two of these courses must be at the 3000-level, followed by HIS 4900, the history capstone course. Interested students should consult with the history department.

The Major (effective spring 2016)

History majors are required to take at least eight history courses (24 credits) numbered 3000 and above. They are encouraged to take courses in at least three of the six different geographical areas of our curriculum; these areas are Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, The United States, and Global, Comparative, or Transnational History. Majors are required to take the Capstone Course (History 4900). Students may take six credits toward their majors in other departments, if the courses are related to their program of study; prior consultation with a history department advisor is required.

The Minor (effective spring 2016)

The minor in history is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the discipline for students who are majoring in other academic areas. Students can choose electives from different regions, such as Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, The United States, and Global, Comparative, or Transnational History. History combines perfectly with studies in international business, economics, business ethics, or finance, as well as many other fields.

To complete the history minor, students take three upper-level courses (9 credits). Two of these courses must be at the 3000-level, followed by HIS 4900, the history capstone course. Interested students should consult with the history department.

Special Program

Honors Program in History

History majors and other interested students will be admitted to the program in their junior or senior year. All students will be required to have had at least 12 hours of history courses with B+ average in history and a general average of B. Students falling short of these requirements may be admitted to the program upon the recommendation of two history faculty members.

The honors program may consist of two tutorials taken consecutively and devoted to reading and researching an area of the students choice. For College requirements for honors, see the Honors Programs section of this bulletin.